Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by judy

I also have GERD. I have changed my diet, but can still have coffee, tomatoes, chocolate, etc. I limit myself to two cups of coffee/day now. I discovered that no sweeteners in the coffee help. (???) I think everybody's foods to avoid differ. I have been taking nexium for years for it.

It took 2 years for a diagnosis because I didn't have any heartburn, etc, symptoms. It was all in the throat.l I couldn't talk for long, which was bad for a teacher. I would be exhausted at the end of the day from trying to use my voice.

I would say a few weeks after starting the nexium, I was a different person. I hope your doctor diagnoses you easily, and that your symptoms disappear as fast!

JUDY! You don't have GERD, you have Laryngopharengeal Reflux (LPR), the same thing I have!!! The most common symptom is voice problems - along with NO heartburn or other GERD symptoms. I don't have voice problems but I have all the other symptoms, (feeling something is in my throat all the time, coughing after meals, clearing the throat throughout the day).

The doctor visit went well, but I could tell the he (probably ~65 years old) didn't really know much of anything about LPR which is very common with doctors who don't stay current with the literature. And in fact the treatment is the same as GERD, with a few exceptions, (e.g., some people are so bad by the time they get diagnosed (see Judy's 2 year saga), they are REALLY bad by the time they get a diagnosis and the recommendation is to dose twice a day with Nexium, Protonics, etc).

The doctor gave me 10 days worth of samples of Aciphex to see if it helps and that is why I think he doesn't know anything about it. It is rare that it improves in that short amount of time. But, I know what it is and I am going to diligently watch my diet and take the meds and see what happens. I'll just call before the 10 days are up and say I am better (whether I am or not) and get an RX for it. Aciphex was on the list of recommended meds in the Journal of the American Medical Association article that I have which outlines the diagnosis and treatment of the condition - so I know the medicine is appropriate. I offered the article to the doctor, but he didn't take it - which is typical of older docs - they don't want you to tell THEM anything. I've never gone to him before, I go to his nurse practitioner whom is ALWAYS reading the latest research. But she is out on maternity leave, so I'll see her later.

I have been a tiny bit better today (less coughing) with just the dietary changes from yesterday and today.